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BJ Penn‘s 15-minute ass-kicking at the hands of Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 5 accomplished several things: Most importantly, it gave MacDonald a grand stage to introduce himself as one of the rulers of the welterweight division. (Established veterans and up-and-coming prospects alike are now calling him out to get attention for themselves.) The fight gave Penn the new record for total time spent in the Octagon — five hours, three minutes, and 51 seconds, surpassing Tito Ortiz — and helped sustain Penn’s own personal statistic of never being knocked down in the Octagon, a piece of trivia made even more astounding by the damage he was taking on Saturday.
The fight also meant that Penn’s six UFC appearances from 2010-2012 have resulted in only a single victory, his 21-second demolition of Matt Hughes at UFC 123. His last two fights (against MacDonald and Nick Diaz) were utterly lopsided, and before that, he was lucky to escape with a draw against Jon Fitch. As a welterweight, BJ Penn is no longer competitive with the best in the world. And like many legendary fighters, he’ll probably be the last person to realize it.
Will Penn take this latest whooping as a sign that it’s time to hang up the gloves for good? Here’s Dana White’s take on the subject, following the event:
“He didn’t say it tonight but I think BJ is probably going to retire. I wouldn’t mind seeing that…B.J. is a warrior. Talk about a guy who doesn’t give up, doesn’t quit, and just keeps coming. I have so much respect for B.J. I always have, even through the good times and bad times. I‘d like to see him retire. He’s got plenty of money, he’s got a great family that loves him, he’s got babies, a beautiful wife…He has nothing left to prove to anybody, and everybody loves him. You heard the arena here tonight. I’d like to see B.J. retire.”
Keep in mind that Penn basically was retired until a simple call-out by Rory MacDonald changed his mind. If that’s all it takes to get Penn fired up, it’s possible that we haven’t seen the last of him. But I’m with Dana on this one — Penn can only hurt his legacy by returning to the cage against another top welterweight, and should step away from the sport before he crosses the line from beloved superstar to cautionary tale. (Just because a guy isn’t losing consciousness in every fight a la Chuck Liddell, doesn’t mean he’s safe from significant brain trauma. Penn’s freakish ability to remain upright and awake during his fights might actually be doing untold long-term damage to his health.)
So what do you think? Use the poll below, and hit us with your additional commentary in the comments section.
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comments* Unless he starts poppin' TRT. Hawaiian Hulk Punch!
Never thought the monicker," prodigy" ever fit, and "legend" is way to strong a term to throw around in the same sentence with bj penn
Stay done. See ya on the grappling circuit
And I'm not a Penn fan, he just came across more likable this past time and I didn't want him to get shot on the way to the cage like every other time.
Rory didn't finish or jump at a finish but I think that was the right choice because a TKO would not be as satisfying as hurting Penn for the full 15 minutes.
As for Rory being above GSP already, I wouldn't say that yet because Rory took too many shots from a slow Penn.
Anik mentioned that BJ was 'changing it all up' this time by bringing top talent to train with him... in ... Hawaii... Yes, BJ's comfort zone, the same place where he's 1/2 assed multiple training camps in the past. BJ needs to gtfo of Hawaii when he's training if he wants to contend for the title still. He'll never train as hard as the rest of these guys with a butler & luxury waiting for him at home; he needs to face adversity while training.
BJ could probably physically contend in the UFC into his early 40s but his will isn't there anymore. He, himself, said he doesn't want to cut to 155 'eating a salad & then training for 6 hours.' BJ wants his legacy to come as easily as his naturally born talent did... we all have to grow up some time.
Just curious, How was Rory being such a big douche? Saying that he was going to hurt BJ?? That is what every fighter tries to do when they step into a fight.
Saying that he fights for himself and doesn't pander to the audience by constantly saying the old cliche line "if it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here??? I got news for ya, this isn't American Idol. He is there because he is a ferocious fighter, that shoots you straight.
Also, your comparison to Jon Jones is just off the mark. One guy you have, telling it how it is, with refreshing honesty. The other, is a phoney hypocite that treats the fans like they are gullable tarts, hanging on he's next contrived lie.
Rory may not give you that same validation that, "you are who he does it for" ,but he also doesn't come across as a sheep. I like the way seems almost annoyed by the other bullshit aspects of fighting and would just rather hurt people than answer politcally correct question like he is running for office, rather than breaking peoples bones and wills.
FFS, he was giving up 20-25lbs EASY to the Waterboy, who could be fighting competitively at MW even now. He might have to fight at MW eventually so, it doesnt put BJ in a terrible light.
These turds just refuse to accept that marketability is going to be their moneymaker. Fighting style is secondary. Joe Silva doesn't hear an arena full of boos, he hears the sound of falling ticket sales and ppv buys. So if these talented brats want to keep acting like the fans don't matter and it's not important, great. Claim your spot as the first fight on the main card and shut up. But I'm not dropping $60 on Jones, MacDonald, or any other pompous a-holes. Maybe I'm the minority.
Now if Penn can fight the urge to have his mom sue someone over this and come back, I'd love to see it. He kinda won me over leading up to this one.
The talk about being the prodigy and MMA is all about the little guy winning is what really needs to be retired.
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